holiday accommodation Cape Winelands

Mont Rochelle Estate Franschhoek with its neat dark green vineyard rows against a cloud covered mountain

Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek

  • Escape city action for a tranquil 2 to 4 night stay in the Cape Winelands - a 1hr drive from Cape Town.
  • An inland mosaic of wine estates, the winelands is all about lazy, shaded verandahs with panoramic mountain views - serving gourmet food and award winning wines.

  • Add-on a few extra nights in one of the nearby coastal towns - like Hermanus or Paternoster - and you have the perfect outinafrica holiday mix of fine wines... and barefoot beach bliss.

  • Car rental strongly suggested for easy exploration on well-kept freeways and roads allowing you to discover breathtaking scenes of natural beauty, crashing surf on a sandy beach, arts & craft markets, quirky country stores and fabulous wine estates along the route... 
  • A typical day can fit in a morning- and afternoon wine tasting - with a lazy lunch in between. And at a favourable exchange, you can also buy wine by the case and have it shipped home
  • And remember to pack the Panama hat!

Winelands map

Out in Africa Franschhoek winelands map
Out in Africa Franschhoek winelands map

Below a few of our favourite outinafrica places to stay for a true winelands experience

  • where to stay?

    First up, the heart of the Cape Winelands

Franschhoek Valley

1 of 3 regions
Out in Africa Delaire Graff Estate Franschhoek
Our favourite winelands village is Franschhoek and its absolutely beautiful surrounding valley. Staying in Franschhoek allows driving around the valley by day - and easy strolling to village restaurants and cafe bars by night. Explore quirky shops, restaurants, bars and galleries all lining a singular, quaint main road. There are MANY places to stay but listed below some of our favourite options in Franschhoek. But beware - some places on this page are simply fabulous...

  • La Residence country hotel and villas

    Franschhoek lodge 1 of 3

  • stay

    30acre estate with vineyards & plum orchards set against a dramatic backdrop of looming mountain
    11 palatial suites and 5 villas offer complete tranquility, exquisite beauty, opulence and grandeur 
    glittering Indian chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, original art, huge mirrors and exquisite flowers
    elegant antiques and plush, colourful furnishings complete this lavish winelands experience 

  • travel

    1hr self drive from Cape Town OR hotel offers pre-booked return transfers 

  • rate

    rates 2024
    suites from R9200 to R18600 per person per night b&b
    vineyard suites with 1-3 bedrooms from R18700 to R54600 per suite per night b&b
    low season may-jul
    rates include breakfast, snacks, local bar, tea/coffee, laundry, wifi and transfers into Franschhoek
    rates exclude levy, premium bar, road transfers to/from Cape Town and staff gratuities

  • Angala Boutique Hotel and Guest House

    Franschhoek lodge 2 of 3

  • stay

    set high on the slopes of the Simonsberg - spectacular views across vineyards to distant mountains
    12 spacious suites/cottages with aircon, private bathroom, private garden verandah & valley views 
    Nespresso machines, iPod stations, wifi, complimentary mini bar & 10 units with outdoor showers
    shaded verandahs, sun loungers on lush lawns & sparkling eco-pool set in established garden
    a luxurious barefoot sanctuary also offering spa treatments and mon-sat gourmet dinners 

  • travel

    50min drive from Cape Town, 20min drive from Franschhoek

  • rate

    rates 2024
    rooms from R5385 to R11325 per room per night b&b
    cottage from R8750 to R14375 per cottage per night b&b
    low season may-sept
    rates exclude spa treatments and dinner

  • Maison Chablis Guesthouse

    Franschhoek lodge 3 of 3

  • stay

    elegant georgian guest house situated an easy 3minute walk from the buzzy village main road
    7 spacious airconditioned suites with private bathrooms, mini bar, tea/coffee and television
    sparkling swimming pool with sun loungers in established lush green garden setting
    stroll around the area and explore quaint little streets & fabulous architecture 

  • travel

    1hr self drive from Cape Town

  • rate

    rates 2024
    standard double from R2330 to R3400 per room per night b&b
    superior double from R2580 to R3650 per room per night b&b
    low season may-aug

Next up, some Indian Ocean magic

Hermanus

2 of 3 wineland regions
Out in Africa Birkenhead House Hermanus

The Franschhoek winelands lie inland (between 2 oceans) so adding on a few nights of barefoot coastal bliss is rather easy. Drive 1.5hr from Franschhoek to the Indian Ocean side and discover Hermanus - famous for its mesmerising land-to-sea whale watching (July to November) directly from its amazing cliff paths offering spectacular views across Walker Bay. Unusual for this region, a few local wine estates are also  making their mark in wine circles so one can now unwind with a wine tasting - after a hair-raising great white shark cage dive at Gansbaai - only a 40min drive from Hermanus.

  • Birkenhead House

    Hermanus lodge 1 of 1

  • stay

    14 aircon rock & thatch chalets with a central dining/bar area with swimming pool 
    situated on a hill overlooking the distant plains and an active watering hole
    please note that multiple steps render no wheelchair access

  • travel

    charter from Windhoek to airstrip + short transfer to lodge

  • rate

    rates 2024
    from R6300 to R17600 per person per night
    low season may-jul
    include accommodation, all meals, 2 daily camp activities, park fees, local drinks and laundry
    exclude levy, transfers, premium imported brands, champagne and staff gratuities

Or head for the crashing surf of the Atlantic Ocean

Paternoster, West Coast

3 of 3 wineland regions
Out in Africa Paternoster West Coast Cape Town

Sand, sea, sky, space and magical wild flower displays await in the post card pretty fishing village of Paternoster, situated along the unspoilt shores of the Cape West Coast - an easy 2hr drive from Cape Town. A seafood mecca, Paternoster exudes immeasurable charm and offers a romantic hide-away for couples, honeymooners or anyone looking for a sense of beach style simplicity. Pristine sandy beaches, charming whitewashed cottages, fresh air and the laid-back, idyllic character of a traditional fishing village. Crayfish tail anyone?

  • Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel

    Paternoster lodge 1 of 1

  • stay

    16 contemporary rooms and spacious suites with either a private terrace or a courtyard.
    breath-taking sea views from Ocean Suites and restaurant/lounge with cosy fireplaces
    high ceilings, crisp linen/towels, handmade stone baths/vanities and outdoor showers
    all rooms with wifi, TV, Bang & Olufsen speaker and Nespresso tea/coffee stations
    organic textures, solar heating, low energy air-con, 20m pool and wellness suite
    and all located in the quaintly beautiful beach side village of Paternoster...

  • travel

    2hr drive from Cape Town

  • rate

    rates 2024
    rooms from R3500 to R7600 per room per night for 2adults b&b
    suites from R5300 to R14500 per suite per night for 2adults b&b
    low season may-aug

WHERE TO GO IN THE WINELANDS

From quaint country farm stalls to award winning wine estates and lazy lunches in magnificent garden settings, the winelands has it all! Below our lists of favourite wine estates & restaurants so you can explore at leisure. Should you discover some gems of your own, let us know!

franschhoek - 1hr drive from Cape Town
en-route from Cape Town to Franschhoek, stop for lunch & garden tour at Babylonstoren
lazy, shaded garden lunches at Grande Provence, Maison, Mullineux Wines and Delaire Graff
all with fascinating architecture, art, interiors, gardens, views and gourmet menu's
take time to stroll around one of the world's greatest motor museum collections
the winding Franschhoek pass and Dieu Donne offer panoramic valley views
PRE-BOOK your amazing dinner at the award winning La Petite Colombe
arts, crafts, collectibles, clothing and all sorts from funky village shops
stellenbosch - 45min drive from Cape Town

Oom Samie Se Winkel for candy, chandeliers, furniture, art, wedding dresses and koeksisters
we like estates Warwick, Kanonkop, Muratie, De Morgenzon, Jordan and the scenic Stark Conde
red wine drinkers must try Meerlust Rubicon Red - along with the estates other fine wines
a treat with cheese, fig preserve and some home made brown bread...

paarl - 45min drive from Cape Town
Fairview or Rhebokskloof - great lunches in tranquil garden settings
fabulous valley views from the Afrikaans Taal (language) Monument
somerset west - 45min drive from Cape Town
between Stellenbosch and Somerset West, stop for picnic lunch on Vergenoegd Löw wine estate - see more here
and down the road- worthy wine estates Ernie Els, Waterford and Rust-en-Vrede
in Somerset West, visit Lourensford and do a forest picnic at Vergelegen 
some modern architecture and lunch with a sea view at Waterkloof
hermanus - 2hr drive from Cape Town
on the way to Hermanus, consider a rocky mountain zip slide experience
three great wine estates to visit in this area are Iona, Creation and Raka

itinerary ideas

Below some ideas of what can be done but YOU decide.
Travel when YOU want to
choose YOUR favourite lodge
and combine destinations as YOU wish.
Take a look:

8 nights - Cape Town and Winelands

  • day 1
    arrive Cape Town and stay 5nights (or more if time allows)
     
    day 6
    drive 1 hr Cape Town to Franschhoek
    stay 3nights winelands
     
    day 9
    drive 1hr to Cape Town airport
    drop rental car at airport and fly out of Cape Town

12 nights - Cape Town, Winelands and Kruger Park

day 1
arrive Cape Town and stay for 6nights
 
day 7
1hr self drive to Franschhoek winelands and stay for 3nights 

day 10
drive 1hr to Cape Town airport and drop rental car
fly 2hr direct Cape Town/Kruger Park
transfer to lodge for 3night safari

day 13
return transfer to Kruger airport
fly 1hr Kruger to Johannesburg & fly out of JNB

15 nights - Vic Falls, Botswana, Cape Town & winelands

day1
arrive Johannesburg Airport and overnight to rest up

day2
connect 1hr40 flight JNB to Vic Falls
transfer to lodge & stay 2 nights

day4
1.5hr road transfer Vic Falls to Kasane Airport, Botswana
1hr charter into Okavango Delta
 transfer to Botswana lodge and stay 3 nights

day7
30min charter flight to Maun
connect 2.5hr flight Maun/Cape Town
transfer to city and stay Cape Town for 6nights

day13
1hr self drive to Franschhoek winelands and stay for 3nights

day16
drive 1hr to Cape Town airport and drop rental car
fly out of Cape Town



The winelands - an outinafrica favourite destination
home of lazy, shaded lunches and award winning wines...
symmetrical garden design at Grand Provence wine Estate Franschhoek
Grande Provence Estate, Franschhoek

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